This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated abnormally while sitting idle at a traffic stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,350.
I was notified of a safety recall on my mini van, called the local dealer was told that I would get a call back as they did not have the part to fix it yet. Never got the call back, finally got to take it in and after the dealer having it for 4 days I get a call and am informed of "internal failure of transmission", was told the cost to repair the transmission. I did some checking and Ford has known about this issue since 2005, my van is a 2005. There have been complaints about getting the torque convertor replaced and shortly thereafter the consumer is informed of the "internal failure of transmission". seems to me that this falls under the "cause and effect" syndrome, ie the torque convertor fingers break loose (tiny fragments) and follow the fluid down into the tranny and presto your tranny goes out. Ford should cover this repair, I have the extended coverage but it is gonna be close on the expiration of coverage. I think someone should gather all of the injured consumers and sue Ford. I called Ford at 1-800-565-3673 and made a consumer complaint.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
I reported to the dealer I bought the vehicle from the 2nd week I owned it that there was a wrench light on and it was flashing.they told me to come to the store and they would look at it, they discovered a solenoid had blown and they replaced it.they told me it was fixed but if it were to come back on that I should get back to them.the light would come on and off randomly, sometimes weekly, other times bi weekly and I called them each and every time.they sent me to a garage in biddeford that only replaced a spark plug and they called it good.I have been driving the van this way since June and despite the fact that the problem was brought to their attention, it now remains unresolved.I went to drive it 2 days ago, wrench light was on when I left, on the way home, the wrench light and engine light were on and it wouldn't shift.I couldn't go above 40 and prayed to make it home.I have no money for another car and would love to get a resolution to this soon.I am in a severe time crunch and can't afford not to have a car.
My children and I were returning from a trip to and were driving through Kentucky on the interstate. While we were going up a hill the car just started to rev as though it were stuck in neutral. I tried lower gears and finally we were able to move of the freeway and on to the side. Thankfully we were all okay. After leaving it in a different state from which we live and having the torque converter repaired, we were able to return and drive it home. Approximately 4 and a half months later, I am driving home from a night class on road that does not have great lighting and going up a hill the same thing happens. This time it is towed to a local shop and we are told that it will cost us $2400 to put in a new transmission. From what I can see here by other complaints and other web-sites, this is a common problem, that Ford knows about. I am really disappointed. Until this happened the first time, this was a great vehicle. I would not be so upset, if we had not just had this problem repaired such a short time ago and if it were not so over abundant in these and other vehicles.
- Fairmont, WV, USA
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I was driving down interstate 295, in NJ mile mark 33 when the vehicle started smelling and smoking. I pulled over and the transmission fluid came out from the bottom of the car. I had it towed to the repair shop and they told me that the transmission was shot and needed replaced and it would cost me $3,500. From what I have been reading online they recalled the 2004 - 2005 transmission for the same problem. I also read that the same transmission is used from the 2004 - 2007 models, so why would it fail for the 2004 - 2005 but not for the 2006 - 2007. I just made my last payment on this vehicle in August of 2013 and the transmission went on Sept 2013. I am upset with this especially having a van full of children returning from a trip. It seems like this is a problem that should have been recalled a long time ago and not still allow for the problem to continue.
My daughter and I were traveling home from columbus Ohio, we were traveling on sr 53. When our 2006 Ford Freestar engine started increasing RPM's. without any warning the transmission just acted like it was in neural. We were able to get off road but was almost hit by semi behind us. We were stranded on a country road at 3 am. I finally contacted a towing servive and $120 later we made it home. I contacted our local Ford dealer and they said yes, we no whats wrong what is your VIN number" I gave them my VIN number and was told that it wasn't on their list????" it the same problem they know they have but since it wasn't on their recall list it was my respondsability. Thsi van only has 36,000 miles, Ford knows they have a problemand won't own up to it financially. They are going to get someone killed if this problem isn't fixed. How can a company know they have a safety problem and not be liable for their pooly designed transmission.
Driving down road at 40 mph. Vehicle suddenly lost all drive power. No forward, or reverse available when transmission shifted between all gear positions. Engine would rev normally and engine running fine. Transmission when out. No drive power. This vehicle should have been included in the torque converter/transmission recall that was done on the 2005 and 2006 Freestar.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the torque converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 79,000. Updated 9/4/13 the vehicle was reapired at a cost of $ 1,550.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the RPM reading increased and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
I was driving on a highway in my Ford Freestar 2006 and the minivan seized, I lost control of the vehicle. The brakes were not working properly and I had drifted off onto the side of the highway were the grass and a few turns helped slow down my vehicle. I had to immediately jump out of the vehicle because there was smoke coming from the engine, but the vehicle would not stop. When the vehicle finally stopped, I jumped out and an ambulance assisted putting out the fire. The engine light went on about 2 minutes before this occurred, giving me no warning signs. I found out it was the transmission. It was replaced under warranty. In 2011, the same thing occurred, engine and car completely failed. When I took it in - it was the transmission again. I had to buy another transmission in less than a year. Ford was not willing to assist me or talk to me about it. I called several times complaining about safety and the possible accidents it could have caused. None the less, in 2012, the transmission went again. Thank goodness it was covered under warranty. Same thing, car completely seized while driving again. It was the transmission again!! three years of getting a transmission - something is wrong and noone is doing anything about it. My transmission light went off again - I am afraid to even drive it to the dealer. This is ridiculous - who is helping the consumer and protecting them against this? my kids are not allowed in the vehicle now in case the car seizes on the way to the dealer.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder where it was shut down and restarted, but to no avail. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
The same as everyone else. The van does not shift from first to second gear. If it does shift, it is a very hard shift. Some times need to back off on gas so it shifts. Once in second gear, van runs good. Reverse is sporadic as well. Some times it wants to. Sometimes not so much. Changed transmission filter. Did not correct the situation. Did some research to see if anyone else has had issues like I am having to find out that there are many people with the same issue. I have noticed that there was a recall for the same make and model but previous 2 years. Not sure why this year has not had a recall to fix the torque converter, but I am hoping that there will be a recall soon.... it is obvious that there is an issue that needs to be resolved....
While driving, coming to a stop sign, I stopped, when commencing to go through the stop sign, vehicle would not move forward. I tried putting vehicle in reverse, I moved approx 2 feet and could not move anymore in any gear. I received help to push into a parking space away from traffic until I was able to have vehicle towed to repair shop. After researching, I found that a recall exists on the faulty torque converters which could affect the transmission also on the 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and it is the same exact faulty part as on my vehicle. Frustratingly my vehicle the 2006 Freestar was not included in Ford recall program, but it should be. Fortunately this did not occur on the highway in a more dangerous situation. I am currently on dialysis and my wife with parkinson's this is adding to our overall declining health with this additional stress. Now I found out we may have to spend an additional $3000 to fix our vehicle. I have been a loyal Ford customer for 45 years.
I was on my way to work at 5am and was at a red light. On the green light, hit the gas and the van would not move. I couldn't get it to go into gear. It was like I didn't have any shifting abilities. The engine was running, but it wouldn't move. Called a tow truck, and yes I have a transmission problem. The torque converter is shot plus whatever else can go wrong with broken metal in your transmission. We don't have the money to fix it, so we have a pretty piece of junk in our driveway that we still owe $4,500 on. I think I will plant flowers around it so the neighbors will not see the grass growing under it. Plus that will give it a proper burial, because without a Ford recall, it will never move.
Returned to vehicle from the store, started, selected reverse and nothing happened. Engine would respond to gas with revs, but no movement. Tried other gears--nothing would engage: It was as if every gear was neutral. Has to be towed to service center. Have now read online that this is very common and that the 2004-5 were recalled for this very issue. I am so frustrated that Ford would not recall the 06 as well. An hour earlier my wife and children could have been killed if this had happened on the freeway! also pretty disappointed in NHTSA for not leveraging its position to force Ford to address this.
I was driving my 2006 Ford Freestar in my neighbor hood with my kids with me. All of a sudden the car shook and I lost all power in my vehicle. The engine just revved like I was in neutral. I pulled over in a parking lot. None of the gears on van were working. I was very fortunate that I was not on highway and not traveling at a high speed. There is a problem with the torque converter and Ford knows it. They did a recall on the 2004-2005 torque converter but not the 2006. I have spoken to several repair facilities including a Ford dealership and they advised me that they all use the same transmission. I can not believe that Ford would consider the torque converter issue a safety recall but not one for the 2006 Freestar. I called Ford and they said that would notify me if there is a future recall but basically I am on my own. They are putting people in jeopardy of their safety and they are aware of the issue.
While driving in traffic, power to the wheels was disconnected and the engine revved. Car acted as though it was out of gear. After coasting off the roadway, vehicle would not engage in gear. There was no prior warning or issue. Took the car to a mechanic who changed the torque converter - problem solved. We are surprised this was not covered under the recall for 2004-2005 vehicles as it seems to be the same issue!
While driving on highway 11/70 in knoxville Tennessee, traveling West my wife lost propulsion and had to coast into a parking lot. Engine is fine, transmission does not provide power to wheels. This happened suddenly and without warning. We have not had any warnings that anything was going wrong with the vehicle. I realize that there is a recall for this model for the years 04, and 05, for the transmission. My failure symptom is consistent with the failure described for the 04, 05 recall. Thank you,
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Live Oak, TX, USA